Of Fathers And Daughters Poem by Anisha Nyambe

Of fathers and daughters
A secret stole fires upon fires and within coal
And daughters who write within the lines
Of fathers who cannot pay memory fines.

Using words, it's he she drew when he thought he was loved by few.
What should bleed, her blood or ink?
Drip, drip, drip.
There's hope over the brink.

Of fathers and daughters there was a land
But she was thrown out like a broken brass hand
To be out of sight yet still in mind.
Her weariness made her lag behind.
So, see to it that he might live
and promised memories he might give
of playing in the dark of night
and reading stories under the starry moonlight.

Of fathers and daughters, here comes another.
From him, he gave her many a brother
All to keep her company
That they might save her from her melancholy.

So, from the other brought awkwardness
Which was avoided by forwardness
And loneliness had her mislead
Thinking he was there to replace fathers not dead.

So, of fathers and daughters
Of one came another.
She was happy
Even though she didn't ask for many a brother.

Of fathers and daughters, no one knew
That the affection she felt was very few.
His daughters who wrote within the lines
Knew he wouldn't pay the memory fines.

Of fathers and daughters, a new cap came.
Coal within fire increases the flame.
So, bear with us,
We of fathers and daughters.
Calm the fire with peaceful waters.